title: Leishmaniosis in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leishmania infection is less known in cats than in dogs and humans; felids were traditionally considered a resistant species, and canids as the main reservoir. Only sporadic cases of feline disease have been reported worldwide, mainly caused by L infantum. Epidemiological investigations have confirmed, however, that feline infections are not rare and that disease occurrence might be underestimated in endemic areas.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Cats are infected by the same Leishmania species that infect dogs and humans in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Sand fly vectors take blood meals from cats and are competent vectors for L infantum, as shown experimentally.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin lesions (ulcerative, crusty, nodular or scaly dermatitis) are the most frequent clinical manifestations and sometimes the only findings on physical examination. Lymph node enlargement, weight loss, ocular involvement (nodular blepharitis, uveitis, panophthalmitis), decreased appetite, chronic gingivostomatitis and lethargy are the most frequent non-cutaneous findings, alone or in combination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Direct confirmation can be obtained by cytology, histology, isolation or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on samples of skin, lymph nodes, blood or any affected tissue. Serology using a validated immunofluorescence test, ELISA, direct agglutination or Western blot has been used to assess infection frequencies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Little information is available about treatment with follow-up reports. Long-term administration of allopurinol (10-20 mg/kg q12h or q24h) is usually clinical effective. Vaccines are licensed for dogs only.
authors.affiliation: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases. pennipet@unime.it
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lloret
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Addie
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belák
authors.forename: Corine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boucraut-Baralon
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Egberink
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frymus
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gruffydd-Jones
authors.forename: Margaret J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hosie
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marsilio
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Möstl
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiry
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Truyen
authors.forename: Marian C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Horzinek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002415:Cats; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*